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[…] National Battlefield Park has once again come through with flying colors. Jim provided me with a Confederate Cavalry order of battle for First Bull Run. I’ve added a page for this OOB under First Bull Run Resources in the right hand column. […]

The Berkeley Troop was part of Stuart’s 1st VA cavalry. Convention has the regiment attacking the Fire Zouaves after they fell back to the Sudley Rd. Descriptions, such as Blackford’s, describe a regiment as one clotehd more like the 14th Brooklyn than the 11th NY. However, it’s possible that he wrote his account later to be a little more dramatic, under the impression that the 11th NY were wearing Zouave uniforms with red trousers, which they were not. See here.

Per Allardice “Confederate Colonels”, Col. Richard Welby Carter of the 1st VA Cav. died 12/18/1888 in Loudon County and is buried in the Carter family cemetery at “Crendel” in Loudon County. “Carter was widely disliked by officers and men, with such comments as ‘whitle livered,’ ‘a coward,’ ‘fat and looking greasy.’ He and his regiment broke at Tom’s Brook, largely causing the Confederate rout there.”

Custer had the upper hand and Col. Mumford and Col. Carter disengaged and went to New Market where they were to reassemble in the event of a loss at Tom’s Brook. Both were punished but Mumford was exhonerated. Carter was not. It was the end of the war, he was taken prisoner and ended the war in prison at Fort Delaware. Tom Rosser could not admit to defeat and these two Colonels were his scapegoats. Mumford stated after the war that an injustice had been done to Col. Carter.

Jim, thanks for the input. I have two sources (Krick and Allardice) who list Carter’s death as 1888, and one (Allardice) who spells the family cemetery “Crendel”. While I’m willing to concede they may be wrong, I’ll need a little more than your say-so to go by. Whaddya got?

Cool. This site confirms the spelling is in fact “Crednal”. But Findagrave also lists the death year as 1888. Since you were just there at the cemetery, do you perhaps have a photo of his marker? Otherwise, I have to take your word for it and since I don’t know you, I can’t do that just yet. Thanks for taking the time to comment here – it would be great to settle this to everyone’s satisfaction. I’ll pass along your correction on the spelling of “Crednal”, but need something more on the death date. Once we get everything nailed down, I’ll be happy to make a post that clarifies the correct information.

OK, I believe you. But a picture is a thousand words. Got one? Maybe if I can see it, it will explain whay so many folks (including one genealogy site I found) seem to think the death year is 1888. You can send it to hjs21 at comcast.net.

on Richard Welby Carter (my Graet Grandfather)…..much can be debated on his record, and the records that record the history of The War Between the States, but what is undisputable is the fact that RW Carter committed his life and a great deal of his own personal fortune to the cause of the CSA. Nearly a century and a half has passed since, and it is difficult for anyone to know which of the following is more true: 1. The statement made above; “He(Carter) and his regiment broke at Tom’s Brook, largely causing the Confederate rout there.” or 2. The rout of the Confederates at Tom’s Brook caused Carter to make make the wise decision to withdraw and regroup. And finally; for anyone interested in Richard Welby Carter, I offer the following which is cut and pasted from the records of Alumni at The Virginia Military Institute Archives (I see others think he died in 1988 also): -Richard Welby Carter, Class of 1859: Born- March 11, 1837. Matriculated from Upperville, Va. At VMI 1 year. Military Record: Capt., militia cavalry co. with Va. forces that occupied Harpers Ferry on April 18, 1861. Entered CS service on April 27, 1861, at Union, Va., for 1 year as Capt., Co. H, 1st Va. Cavalry. Commanded co. of couriers and guard at army HQ and acted as Aide de Camp to Maj. Gen. G. W. Smith in May, 1862. To Maj. July 24, 1862. LtCol in 1862 or 1863. Appointed Col. on Aug 12, 1863. Captured Dec. 17, 1863, near Upperville, Va. Held at Camp Chase, Oh; Ft. Delaware, De. In June, 1864, one of the officers sent to Hilton Head Island, SC, to be placed under CS fire (a seperate group from the “Immortal 600”). Exchanged on Aug. 4, 1864. Court martialed for cowardice at Tom’s Brook and cashiered. Captured in Fauquier Co. on Feb. 21, 1865. Released on oath from Ft. Delaware, De., on July 19, 1865. Post War Career: Farmer. Married Sophia Butts Carter, 1867. Died- Dec. 21, 1888, in Loudoun Co., Va.

This is just a general query. I’m having a lot of difficulty in locating information on the 21st Virginia Cavalry, specifically Company K, but anything on the 21st would be welcome. I have a 3great-grandfather who served in that regiment, and I would like to know the unit history/battles/engagements/etc.

I had a relative, P.W. Tevault, who served in company K, 1st Va. Cavalry under E.S Yancey. I know he died in prison, but do you have any other details of his service. Incidentally, I appreciate the work you do.

Harry, I was extremely grateful to find your note that Co. I (Harrisonburg Cavalry) of the 1st Va Cavalry did not participate in First Manassas (although I’d already sketched out a scene for the battle for my novel-in-progress, which I had to ditch). Do you have any information as to why? Were they among the units left behind to screen movements toward the battle from the Federals?

Any information you have about Captain Thomas L. Yancey (liked or disliked by his men, physical description, etc.) is most welcome.

Thank you.

Marsha Ward
Author of The Owen Family Saga
(Trying to get the history right)

The area of study relating to what units and how many soldiers were present at any given time is really underdeveloped. We’ll see lots more progress in this area as time goes by and more and more folks have access to records, especially on line. We are in the golden age of Civil War research, if you ask me, and it’s regular folks who are going to be making big contributions.

FYI, here is the text of the 7/29/1861 Richmond Daily Dispatch that was noted in the link I provided earlier:

Another gallant soldier gone.

We learn (says the Register) that our young friend, George W. Messick, son of Gessner Messick, of this vicinity, a member of Capt. T. L. Yancey’s troop of cavalry, was killed in the battle of Sunday last, near Manassas Junction. He had, we learn, been ordered to make a charge for the rescue of some prisoners, when he received a shot in the head, which killed him instantly. He was a gallant soldier, and met his death like a patriot.

Dulce bellum inexpertis

“I am sending you these little incidents as I hear them well authenticated. They form, to the friends of the parties, part of the history of the glorious 21st. More anon.”

About

Hello! I’m Harry Smeltzer and welcome to Bull Runnings, where you'll find my digital history project on the First Battle of Bull Run which is organized under the Bull Run Resources section. I'll also post my thoughts on the processes behind the project and commentary on the campaign, but pretty much all things Civil War are fair game. You'll only find musings on my “real job” or my personal life when they relate to this project. My mother always told me "never discuss politics or religion in mixed company”, and that's sound advice where current events are concerned.

The Project

This site is more than a blog. Bull Runnings also hosts digitized material pertaining to First Bull Run. In the Bull Run Resources link in the masthead and also listed below are links to Orders of Battle, After Action Reports, Official Correspondence, Biographical Sketches, Diaries, Letters, Memoirs, Newspaper Accounts and much, much more. Take some time to surf through the material. This is a work in process with no end in sight, so check back often!